The Racial Justice Commission of the Diocese of Camden held its recognition dinner on Tuesday, Aug. 3, at Botto’s Italian Line Restaurant in Swedesboro.
St. Monica’s Parish in Atlantic City was given the “Many Faces in God’s House” Award for its work in cultivating diversity and unity in the parish.
In his nomination letter to the committee supporting St. Monica’s receiving the award, Father Ken Hallahan, a member of the commission, wrote, “Under the direction of Father Overton Jones and Father Paul Wise, both now retired pastors, the African-American parish opened its doors to Haitians, Latinos, and Filipinos (and) offered them time and place for liturgies in their own languages and cultural expressions… (and) have given an extraordinary example of eradicating racism and promoting peace and harmony among God’s people.”
Father Wise and St. Monica’s parishioner Elva McGee, accepted the award on the parish’s behalf. Also recognized were retiring committee members, Father Ted Cassidy and Deacon Liam O’Clisham, who received parting gifts in appreciation of their service to the Racial Justice Commission.